Technical Small block chevy starter pains

I’m building a 37 Chevy truck. I have a 1980’s crate 350 four bolt. I put a manual T-10 with a new bell housing for a 80s Camaro

My starters aren’t fitting. The area for the nose cone of the starter is too small


Where did I go wrong?

 

Nevermind I found some technical info.

I’ll have to modify my cover to all the starter to fit.


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There are different bellhousings designed to work with the two different sizes of flywheels. If you have a bellhousing for the small one, then the big flywheel you have might not work.

The starter motor gear is the same on all the starters, the difference is only in the flywheel--14" 168 tooth, or 12.5" 153 tooth. The starter bolt holes are different, so the starter will line up with the flywheel it is designed to work with.

 

I edited my initial post. So I it sounds like I have the wrong bell housing.

It’s for an 11” clutch which is what I put in


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I think have it figured out

I have the big nose aluminum housing starter for a small flywheel/clutch. I do have the correct 11” clutch and bellhousing but the starter is supposed to be cast iron and smaller diameter. A local shop has them I will get it tomorrow


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A few pictures of what you have would help us help you sort it out

 

You might consider one of the mini high torque starters.They dont have a support area for the drive so they dont need a "pocket" in the bell housing.

 

Do you have to shim the new mini starters ?

 

Normally. Thanks why “Help” sells packets of them at “Trace Amigos Dela Pep”

 

Yep, you've got it figured out. 11" clutch/14" flywheel manual trans cars of that era had the cast iron nose, the aluminum nose starter from an 14" flexplate automatic trans application won't fit the starter pocket.

 

I've used two from Summit, no shimming needed...Each came with shims as well. I liked the ones I used, they are "clock-able" for 153/168 and location. I think they are in the 130 dollar range now. Work fine, still lasting, so much easier as ya get older to put in

 

I cringe every freaking time some dude suggest one of those mini starters because you know damned well that in a few weeks there is going to be another thread on "why does my mini starter eat ring gears or make noise.
GM/Delco makes factory Delco mini starters for 153 tooth and 168 tooth ring gears that would be a hell of a lot better and not give the problems.

 

I have a n name brand mini starter from that store thats on "top" and its a piece of crap . I have shimmed twisted supported and clocked and it still eating up the flywheel. Looks like I will try a Delco.

 

I found the starter that works for my application. I had to order a 1980 Corvette starter. My problem now is the steel nose is smaller and the standard bolts are an inch too long for this starter. I have the correct bolts on order. This is what I get for doing a custom build but still enjoying my project and learning as I go


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Most mini starters mostly don't have the r terminal.